Gale Franklin Red

Captain Red retired from the U. S. Air Force after serving 20 years, 22 days, and 8 hours in the Armed Forces. He graduated from Lakes High School in Lakewood WA. He received an Associate’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Tacoma Community College, a dual Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Military Science from the University of Puget Sound, his first Master’s Degree in Human Relations from Webster University, and his second Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management from Wilmington University in Wilmington DE. In the U. S. Air Force, Mr. Red went through AFROTC at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma WA. He attended the Air Command and Staff College in 1978 and entered active duty in the U. S. Air Force in August 1969. In February 1970, he entered navigator training at Mather AFB CA and in November 1970, attended survival school at Fairchild AFB WA. In 1971, he flew as a navigator with the C-130 Squadron at Dyess AFB TX. In 1972, Mr. Red flew C-130s in an airborne command and control capacity at Korat AB, Thailand, then he flew C-141s, worked at the Command Post, and was a Personnel Officer at Charleston AFB SC. He was a navigator instructor and flew T-33s at Mather AFB in Sacramento CA. He was Chief of Airfield Operations, ran Base Ops, was in charge of small-arms training, base audiovisual services, was part-time Base Commander’s Exec, and was in charge of the Base self-inspection program and the survival recovery center. He flew C-5s out of Dover AFB DE, was Squadron Section Commander of Field Maintenance, and was in charge of the life support services before retiring September 1, 1989.

Mr. Red and his wife were known as the Red Man Handyman and The Wife, conducting general home repairs and landscaping. However, Mr. Red is best known for his creation of the Lt. George E. Dixon Camp #1962, Sons of Confederate (SCV), in Belleville IL in January 2002, a heritage organization. That camp includes about members from the local area and all over the world. He is also responsible for creating the affiliate organization, the Knights and Ladies of the Golden Circle. He formerly held the positions of Camp Adjutant and Illinois Division Commander.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Franklin Smith and Mary Ellen Red, nee Humphrey, a sister, Lynn Red, and brother-in-law, Dennis Bobbert.

Surviving is his wife, Sharon M. Red, whom he married December 19, 1998 in Elsah, Ill., and many feline children.

He is also survived by his daughter--Jennifer Alaniz in Gilbert AZ, son--Chris Red in Mesa AZ, daughter--Michelle (Steve) Bagshaw in San Tan Valley AZ, son--Joseph (Kyra) Benjamin in Rio Rancho NM, stepson--Chase (Colene) Cunningham in Parker CO, and step-daughter--Angela (Chris) Denning in Fairview Heights, Ill. He also was Pawpap to 13 grandchildren (Kira Benjamin, Sarah Benjamin, Morgan Benjamin, Julian and Cadell Red, Justin and Kirstan Bagshaw, Tess (Scott) Peterson-DePrekel, Liz (Jarrod) Whitmore, twins Raelan and Declan Cunningham, and twins Brennan and Quinn Peck), plus six great-grandchildren (Zaira Marie Mangione, Natalyn Mae, Noel Lincoln & Loretta Soriano, Mason Scoggins, and Alder Peterson-DePrekel).

He is also survived by his baby sister, Kathleen Bobbert, of Roy WA.

For those wishing, memorials may be made in the form of donations to his passion, the Lt. George E. Dixon Camp #1962, The Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints, or the St. Clare Catholic Church.

Gale will be remembered as a loving husband, father, Pawpap, loyal Confederate, caring animal lover, and a kind and caring Christian man.

If flowers grow in heaven, Lord, please pick a bunch for me.

Place them in Gale’s arms and tell him they're from me.

Tell him I love and miss him, and when he turns to smile,

Place a kiss upon his cheek and hold him for a while.

Because remembering him is easy, I do it every day

But there is an ache within my heart that will never go away.